Retrobyter
Active Member
Shalom, Michael.
People appreciate honesty, and however much a person likes a "firm hand," like a parent admitting to his children that he or she is human and makes mistakes, that same person would respect a pastor who can admit to being human and being capable of making mistakes. Pastors and "Reverends" sometimes practice lording over their congregations to an extreme that is NEVER condoned in Scripture! In fact, a pastor is simply an under shepherd. He is NOT to be regarded as a "father" (despite what the Catholics believe)!
Matthew 23:1-12
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master (Greek: Didaskalos = Teacher), even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master (Greek: Katheegeetees = Guide), even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
KJV
Indeed, the word "minister" means a "waiter" or a "servant." The word "pastor" means a lowly "shepherd." The word "minister" can sometimes come from the Greek word "hupeeretees" which means a "subordinate for rowing a boat." (Strong's says "an under-oarsman.") In all cases, NONE of the positions are to be in the position of something higher on the hierarchy of authority! Yeshua` calls such a belief in a hierarchy of authority the "doctrine of the Nicolaitans," and He did NOT speak of them highly! (Revelation 2:6, 15.)
The only difference that a preacher or teacher might have from others in the congregation is in their gift from the Spirit. If one has the gift of administration or the gift of prophecy or the gift of teaching, they may be in such a position; HOWEVER, they should NEVER think of themselves too highly!
Romans 12:1-13
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
KJV
So, don't fear to reveal yourself human in the pulpit. Your congregation will be better off and you will gain a respect for being honest.
Are you sure that you can't approach the pulpit that way? When have you ever known me not to write with conviction in what I believe? But, when push comes to shove, even though I am TOTALLY convinced in what I believe, I must still qualify what I've said with a statement that says, "That's how I see it." The "oracles of God" (Greek: logia Theou) is simply God's Utterance or God's Word. (Logia and logos are related.) Speak WITH God's Word, and you're less likely to be wrong. If one speaks contrary to God's Word (even if he doesn't recognize that he IS speaking contrary to His Word), that one is DOOMED to error. That's why we should ALWAYS qualify what we preach or teach!Michael V Pardo said:Shalom, brother,
I agree with you for the most part, especially in the context of bible studies, but you can't approach the pulpit thinking that way (well actually you can, but people will be less inclined to believe you if your preaching is without conviction.)
10. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
The proclamation of the word is more than just reading it aloud. I also believe that the gospel is worth fighting for (verbally) and that we are called to. Paul was not always kind with those who attacked the doctrines of grace:
11. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! 13. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:11-13
to quote Stan Lee "'nuff said."
Thank you for the grace you demonstrate in such posts and I pray that we can all do likewise.
People appreciate honesty, and however much a person likes a "firm hand," like a parent admitting to his children that he or she is human and makes mistakes, that same person would respect a pastor who can admit to being human and being capable of making mistakes. Pastors and "Reverends" sometimes practice lording over their congregations to an extreme that is NEVER condoned in Scripture! In fact, a pastor is simply an under shepherd. He is NOT to be regarded as a "father" (despite what the Catholics believe)!
Matthew 23:1-12
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master (Greek: Didaskalos = Teacher), even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master (Greek: Katheegeetees = Guide), even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
KJV
Indeed, the word "minister" means a "waiter" or a "servant." The word "pastor" means a lowly "shepherd." The word "minister" can sometimes come from the Greek word "hupeeretees" which means a "subordinate for rowing a boat." (Strong's says "an under-oarsman.") In all cases, NONE of the positions are to be in the position of something higher on the hierarchy of authority! Yeshua` calls such a belief in a hierarchy of authority the "doctrine of the Nicolaitans," and He did NOT speak of them highly! (Revelation 2:6, 15.)
The only difference that a preacher or teacher might have from others in the congregation is in their gift from the Spirit. If one has the gift of administration or the gift of prophecy or the gift of teaching, they may be in such a position; HOWEVER, they should NEVER think of themselves too highly!
Romans 12:1-13
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
KJV
So, don't fear to reveal yourself human in the pulpit. Your congregation will be better off and you will gain a respect for being honest.